The field of Christian ethics is the subject of frequent conversation as Christians seek to understand how to live faithfully within a pluralistic society. The range of ethical systems and moral philosophies available can be confusing to people seeking clarity about what the different theories mean for everyday life.
This Spectrum Multiview volume presents a dialogue between four main approaches to ethics in the Christian tradition. Virtue ethics focuses less on the action itself and more on the virtuous character of the moral agent. A divine command approach looks instead at whether an action has been commanded by God, in which case it is morally right. Natural law ethics argues for a universal, objective morality grounded in nature. Finally, prophetic ethics judges what is morally right in light of a biblical understanding of divine justice and shalom. The four views and their proponents are as follows:
– Brad J. Kallenberg: Virtue Ethics
– John Hare: Divine Command Ethics
– Claire Peterson: Natural Law Ethics
– Peter Heltzel: Prophetic Ethics Christian Ethics: Four Views, edited by noted ethicist Steve Wilkens, presents an accessible introduction to the key positions in Christian ethics today.
Spectrum Multiview Books offer a range of viewpoints on contested topics within Christianity, giving contributors the opportunity to present their position and also respond to others in this dynamic publishing format.
Table of Content
Introduction by Steve Wilkens
1. Virtue Ethics by Brad J. Kallenberg
A Natural Law Response
A Divine Command Theory Response
A Prophetic Ethics Response
2. Natural Law by Claire Brown Peterson
A Virtue Ethics Response
A Divine Command Theory Response
A Prophetic Ethics Response
3. Divine Command Theory by John Hare
A Virtue Ethics Response
A Natural Law Response
A Prophetic Ethics Response
4. Prophetic Ethics by Peter Goodwin Heltzel
A Virtue Ethics Response
A Natural Law Response
A Divine Command Theory Response
Contributors
Index
About the author
Steve Wilkens (Ph.D., Fuller Theological Seminary) is professor of theology and ethics at Azusa Pacific University. He is the author of Good Ideas from Questionable Christians and Outright Pagans, Christianity Western Thought, Volumes 2 and 3 (coauthored with Alan Padgett), and Beyond Bumper Sticker Ethics.
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